The future of Small Online Businesses?

15 replies
Will small niche websites created by individuals still be profitable in the next few years? Take 3 years from now will these small websites still be used over the likes of amazon or ebay or something else? So in short is the future bright, the same, or dull for those in the process of creating small businesses online, especially those who haven't a lot to invest? Thanks.
#businesses #future #online #small
  • Profile picture of the author Thomas W
    3 years ago people said the same thing your saying now. I don't think much more will change 3 years from now.
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    • Profile picture of the author Exel
      Originally Posted by Thomas W View Post

      3 years ago people said the same thing your saying now. I don't think much more will change 3 years from now.
      I'm pretty sure 50 years ago people were saying the same. See how that turned out.
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    • Profile picture of the author ebaypowerguru
      Originally Posted by Thomas W View Post

      3 years ago people said the same thing your saying now. I don't think much more will change 3 years from now.
      Totally agree with you!
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  • Profile picture of the author FrankMiller
    The best will stick around. The ones relying on spammy tactics will fade away.
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    • Profile picture of the author Joseph Robinson
      Banned
      Originally Posted by FrankMiller View Post

      The best will stick around. The ones relying on spammy tactics will fade away.
      This, pretty much. A few more good ones will come along and build businesses, spammers will come and go with new crap methods, and newbues will burn out and be replaced. Pretty much the same as business has always been, both online and offline.
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      • Profile picture of the author marketinguk
        Originally Posted by Thomas W View Post

        3 years ago people said the same thing your saying now. I don't think much more will change 3 years from now.
        Originally Posted by FrankMiller View Post

        The best will stick around. The ones relying on spammy tactics will fade away.
        Originally Posted by Joe Robinson View Post

        This, pretty much. A few more good ones will come along and build businesses, spammers will come and go with new crap methods, and newbues will burn out and be replaced. Pretty much the same as business has always been, both online and offline.
        It's funny I sometimes used to think to myself that the internet and what's going on around us was evoloving a lot and that I needed to always focus on how to improve what i was doing online and what may hold me back etc.

        However, as time goes on I have come around to the above post's way of thinking, that although some things can and do change for better or worse, the basic principles stay the same and probably always will do. The #1 aimI have found, is to focus on building a sustainable long term business model and look at whatever your strengths are and then look to scale it up over time. Equally it's crucial to acknowledge when things are not working and move on from them and not be too sentimental about them. This is also part of building a successful and sustainable business IMO.

        Joel
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  • Profile picture of the author rob9482
    If you're really passionate about your niche and provide great content that really provides value to your visitors then no you will never be outdone by eBay and Amazon and other big websites because you are the best source of information in your niche.
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  • Profile picture of the author KickAss Marketing
    Originally Posted by Byron2k12 View Post

    Will small niche websites created by individuals still be profitable in the next few years? Take 3 years from now will these small websites still be used over the likes of amazon or ebay or something else? So in short is the future bright, the same, or dull for those in the process of creating small businesses online, especially those who haven't a lot to invest? Thanks.
    Online business are definitely the future. Internet usage is increasing day by day. If you are serious with your online business small or big it will definitely be a successfull one as long as you are persistent and you are commited with what you are doing. Keep your self motivated..
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  • Profile picture of the author prismkuet
    If you can keep your quality, make a reputation even to a small group of people, you will survive. Look for the off line market. Lots of big giant there for years. But did they able to kill the small and medium enterprises?
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  • Profile picture of the author dvduval
    It's an interesting contrast of the emphasis on quality in a thread like this and the spammy stuff being pushed in the WSOs (though certainly not all).
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  • Profile picture of the author infinityplr
    If you want to be sure of the future that is a hard thing to ask. However, for small business their future depends on how they are keeping up with today's trend. You do not need to worry much of the future since it has not arrive yet. Think of today first. Build a solid ground, a foundation for your business, take care of your online reputation and improve you products.

    Who knows if you did it well you might be with the same ranks of amazon and ebay 3 years from now.
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    GO. MOVE. Keep GOING! Even with the smallest steps and slower paces, the important thing is you are NOT STOPPING! You'll get there!
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  • Profile picture of the author MariamN
    Small sites will always be existing and they can be profitable if you put effort on them. If you manage to publish quality content and keep your site clear of spam you can have a successful small business site.
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  • Profile picture of the author Bill Hugall
    The theory is flawed as the rate of online purchases goes up. Just because we all know what is happening out there doesn't mean that the general population does. It is what we do and the more of us who are successful at it the more people will do the same thing.

    IM is just a great big MLM. The more who do it the better. These sites will change and adapt but that is what true successful business owners do. Do you think that this is what is was like when Frank Kern started out.
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  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    It's all direct response marketing. These kind of sites aren't going anywhere.
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  • Profile picture of the author vCr8
    I think a small online business that is targeting a direct local market can win over ebay or amazon. It will stay online if you do the business right. With your reputation in your locality it isn't imposible to get over to different states and still keep your boat floating.
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